Socialization Processes10 Ways to Get a Job at an Ad Agency

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Getting where you want to be in the advertising field takes many steps, and you have to work your way up. The article I chose, gives 10 ways to get closer to where you want to be in a particular company. It listed things such as networking events, interning, and doing freelance work.

❏Recruiters from advertising agencies rely on many of these ways mentioned in the article.

❏Starting with an entry level position and working your way up shows commitment.

❏Networking is also something that is important.❏ Meeting executives and creating relationships, creates many opportunities.

The hardest part is getting through the door but the steps listed in this article could make that possible.

❏Entering a new organization takes adjustment. This adjustment happens gradually and scholars have divided the process in phases.

Anticipatory Socialization

“Socialization that occurs before entry into

the organization. Encompasses both socialization to an

occupation and socialization to an

organization” (Miller, 124)

Phase 1: Anticipatory❏Many unknowns about entering an ad agency .

❏Research is something that is done in this phase. ❏ Speaking to people who work in ad agencies or doing online research on it.

❏ This research can be about the culture of the organization, or just on the position.

❏ The agencies website

❏ Past Experiences also play a key role in this phase❏ Have you worked/interned for another agency prior?

❏ There may be expectations acquired over the years if this is a field that's has been of interest for some time.

Encounter “Sensemaking stage that occurs when a new

employee enters the organization. The

newcomer must let go of old roles and values in

adapting to the expectations of the new

organization.” (Miller, 124)

Phase 2: Encounter❏The newcomer works to make sense of the new organization

❏ Advertising Agencies have an open culture, in which some may not understand if they have never worked in this type of culture.

❏ Could be problematic if there are already pre notions on how the organizations should be

❏ If transitioning from intern to employee there may be a shock factor one must get over

❏Communication from the organization is important in the phase❏ Many ad agencies assign mentors to newcomers, this helps them understand

life at the organization's

❏ Because teamwork is essential in ad agencies, they focus on team building workshops and outings

Metamorphis“The state reached at the

“completion” of the socialization process. The

new employee is now accepted as an organizational

insider”(Miller, 124)

Phase 3: Metamorphosis❏The Final Stage: The transition from outsider to insider

❏ The employee now sees themselves as part of the organization and the organization accepts this.

❏Kramer’s Analysis:

❏ There are still levels of uncertainty when switching roles within the company.

❏ For example, leaving an entry-level position to becoming an Account Executive of a firm

❏ You are not considered new, but there will be new employees and possibly a new environment

The advertising world is all about who you know. This applies to getting into the firm and also when you are working with a firm. Networking is essential when finding clients and forming relations.

Prepping for an Interview

❏Research!❏ Knowing what the agency

values, who they target,, and what their goals are

❏ Knowing who their top clients are and some background on their culture is essential.

❏ The more information you know shows the interviewer you've done your research.

Newcomer Information-seeking Tactics❏ This communication process happens during the

encounter phase as newcomers are trying to figure out the organization.❏ Overt Questions

❏ Indirect Questions

❏ Third Parties

❏ Testing Limits

❏ Disguising Conversations

❏ Observing

❏ Surveillance

Overt Questions❏ Asking questions directly to

the source❏ An example of this would be

someone in an entry level position asking their management something they want to know.

❏ This tactic seems like it would be the most accurate and most reliable way

❏ Only issue with this would be who the information is coming from and whether they have you best interest in mind.

❏ Hinting to get information❏ An example of this would be

someone in an entry level position wanting to know a question but asks in a non interrogative way without directly asking.

❏ This tactic could go many ways.

❏ By not asking directly the questions may be misconstrued.

Indirect QuestionsV.S

Third Parties❏ Soliciting information from

coworker instead of getting it from a manager

❏ This tactic could be problematic because the co worker could easily unknowingly provide you with incorrect information.

❏ This tactic cold also be useful. The third party may be able to provide you with insight about the company that management couldn't.

❏ Newcomer breaks the rules to see how others react.

❏ This tactic may not always be a reliable one.

❏ Depending on what deviance is being committed it could cause the management to view you negatively.

Testing Limits V.S

Disguising Conversations

❏ Disguising questions in a natural conversation.

❏ This tactic could easily turn into a miscommunication

❏ It sould be missed by your counterpart.

❏ Getting information by observing situations

❏ This is a tactic that all newcomers use

❏ Observing is how many individuals learn and becoming successful in companies.

V.S Observing

Surveillance

❏ Solicits information from past observed behaviors.

❏ This tactic could be both helpful and problematic depending on your observations

❏ If you are observing model behavior then this would be a great strategy.

Questions to interviewer...❏In what ways do you welcome a newcomer to your organization?

❏What are the some of the steps you take to ensure new members success in the company?

❏ What do the most successful new hires do in their first month here?

❏Can you tell me about someone who’s been hired in the past year that’s made the biggest difference in this organization?

❏I know there will be curveballs on the job. What kind can I expect? From where might they come?

Possible research ideas….❏A possible research project could be done on the turnover rates for

companies who don't have a successful welcome program for newcomers.I can imagine that organizations who don't do their best to set employees up for success would have a higher turnover rate than those who do.

Works Cited https://www.thebalance.com/getting-job-at-ad-agency-38627

https://www.roberthalf.com/creativegroup/need-work/career-resources/preparing-for-a-job-interview/8-things-to-know-when-preparing-for-an-interview-with-a-creative-agency

http://leighhouse.typepad.com/advergirl/2008/05/questions-a-job.html